Access
- Access & Compatibility
- Cost
- Internet
- Skills Required
Flexibility
- Script Support
- Language Support
- Customizability
- Multi-User Support
Data & Compatibility
- Software Compatibility
- Import
- Export
Access
1. Access & Compatibility
Lexique Pro requires a software download from the internet and must be installed on a user’s computer in order to be used to create a dictionary. The software can be downloaded from the Download page of the Lexique Pro website.
Users are able to access dictionaries made with Lexique Pro without downloading the software.
The application is compatible with Windows. There are no plans to make this software compatible with MacOS or Linux.
2. Cost
Lexique Pro is a free tool; however, it is not open source.
The parameters include the users must own the data or be given permission to use it, users cannot distribute partial files separately, the software cannot be used to distribute offensive material, and users must provide information to dictionary users/readers on how they can receive support directly from them (as Lexique Pro is not able to provide support to all dictionary users).
The full license details can be found here.
3. Internet
Access to the internet is required to download Lexique Pro onto a computer, and some edits are only possible online, such as adding links to entries.
The final product of Lexique Pro can function as an online or offline resource. More details can be found below under Export.
4. Skills Required
Lexique Pro assumes some knowledge of lexical field markers and requires moderate computer skills, as some of the operations are more complex.
This tool appears to be geared towards lexicographers or linguists with prior computer skills but minimal background in fieldwork.
Flexibility
5. Script Support
Lexique Pro supports Unicode characaters. It is also possible to convert legacy fonts (scripts such as ASCII or EBCDIC) to Unicode in Lexique Pro. Both left-to-right and right-to-left writing systems are supported.
6. Language Support
The user interface of the software is offered in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Chinese. All instructions and commands will appear in this language. The exported version of the dictionary will also appear in whichever language is selected as the interface language.
Lexique Pro creates a bilingual or trilingual dictionary. There is also the option to add a page where general information on the language or languages can be provided.
7. Customizability
Lexique Pro offers minimal customizations. Users can add images and audio to their entries, alter font styles, create a hierarchy of semantic categories, edit alphabetical ordering, and add links to outside sources as desired.
Users cannot customize which fields to include when exporting from Lexique Pro.
8. Multi-User Support
Lexique Pro does not have any built in support for multiple users, such as edit tracking, edit syncing, or file comparison.
Users can share files from Lexique Pro with other users using the Distribute Lexicon feature. This features allows the distributor to determine what the receiver will be allowed to do with the Lexique Pro lexicon (i.e. if they are able to edit the configuration, distribute to others, or print the lexicon).
Data & Compatibility
9. Software Compatibility
10. Import
There are only two options for importing language data to Lexique Pro. The first is using a LIFT (Lexicon Interchange FormaT) file, an output file format from FLEx and WeSay. The second option is as a TXT file from Toolbox. Text files must include format markers used in Toolbox, meaning that it is not possible to import data from other sources as TXT files.
Images can be imported to Lexique Pro using JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP files. It is possible to add audio using WAV or MP3 files.
11. Export
The output of Lexique Pro can be formatted as an EXE, TXT, HTML, or XML file.
An EXE file can be made editable or viewable offline and shared to as many computers as desired, although this file type is only compatible with Windows. To open an EXE file on MacOS, users must use a Windows emulator, such as Wine. Saving as a HTML file allows users to create a website through Lexique Pro which can be made available to anyone with an internet connection. Saving as a TXT file allows for the final product to produced as a physical print resource. It is also possible to make Lexique Pro into an app using DAB.
Some functions of the dictionary are not retained when hosted offline, and there is some minor bugginess that may occur when converting to HTML or TXT files.